Arati Vilas Restaurant at Tanjung Bungah Park also retained all of its 15 workers, paying them their full salary when the restaurant could barely serve 10 orders at the height of the first MCO.
More than a year later, the shop’s owner Vengdesparan N Rajalingam continues to pay full wages to his staff and even paid for their lodging, despite his own financial hardship from the reduced income throughout the different movement control orders (MCOs).
When he heard about the white flag campaign, he dipped into his savings and pledged to serve at least 100 meals a day for the whole of July.
Since Thursday, Vengdesparan said his restaurant has been preparing 100 packs of hot meals containing rice with fried chicken, fried fish, and eggs, adding that he will not compromise on the quality of the meals, using only fragrant rice and A-grade eggs, among other ingredients.
“I’m not going to ask questions too. Just take your food and leave,’ he told FMT.
“We run on a trust system here. If you can’t afford a meal, you can count on us.
“This is our community initiative, which we have been doing at a smaller scale for years. But due to Covid-19, we have ramped things up. Many need help.”
A homeless man with no footwear was the first person Vengdesparan served yesterday, along with many others, including garbage collectors and people who were jobless.
Vengdesparan has also vowed to go beyond 100 packs if he runs out and has sent his son to distribute packets of food for the marooned trishaw riders in George Town.
Those who need food can visit the restaurant at No 9, Tanjung Bungah Park, Tanjung Bungah (across Mercure Hotel); Tel: 04-899 1379. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday and free food is available for collection between 12pm and 3pm .
Those in Penang who are seeking assistance for necessities or free meals can reach out to several other organisations and volunteers as follows:
- Batu Lanchang Food Court White Flag Movement
Forty packs of free meals are distributed daily from 12pm to 2pm at the Batu Lanchang food court. Call 017-559 6026 (Goh Kok Joo @ AhBoy), 016-462 0520 (Goh Yee Sheng) or 012-4286952 (Yeap Poh Beng).
- Butterworth Lay Buddhist Society
The society is giving out 50 packs of essential food items weekly to those most in need. Call 017-458 5915 (Hui Ling) or 017-563 1017 (Huey Chin).
- Pakej Bantuan Dapur Berasap
Free rice, eggs, cooking oil, fresh produce, fish and chicken is being distributed by this group at the Kedah Agro Bazaar near Koperasi Taman Tunas Muda, Sungai Ara.
- Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Penang is giving out essential food items and other necessities to the needy. Those interested can fill up an online form here.
- City Parish Catholic Church
The City Parish is offering free meals through a meal voucher programme at select food outlets. Call 017-599 2094.
- “Feed the Needy” programme by three volunteers
Volunteers Charanjit Singh, Marcia Lopez and Dr Darshan Singh will provide essential food items, necessities and other assistance to 30 families who have lost their income during the lockdown. Call 016 486 6081 (Charanjit), Marcia (016 471 7872) or Dr Darshan (012 559 1761).
- Cili Panda
Cili Panda, a Chinese restaurant in George Town is offering 100 packs of food daily from 11am to 6pm daily and 11am to 1pm on Sundays. Address: 38 Tye Sin Street. Call 017-578 4215.
- Pantai Hospital Penang
Fifty lunch sets from the hospital’s cafeteria will be distributed free from Mondays to Fridays, 11am to 1pm, with two sets maximum per person until July 15. Call 017-578 2899.